Chef Thamara Kumari is the first female chef to win the top prize at a national culinary competition in the UAE. We bring you the story of La Cuisine by SIAL’s ‘Best Cuisiner’. Also in this issue: Pascal Dupuis, general manager, The Address Dubai Marina Hotel; The Million Dirham scholarship from ICCA for under-privileged chefs; Pastry Power by Fonterra with Executive Pastry Chef David Peduzzi of Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach; Yas Island Rotana at the Nestle Professional Golden Chef’s Hat Competition; images from Luxembourg Culinary World Cup; Full coverage of La Cuisine by SIAL; Aquin George, Editor Note; Rohit Bassi column – More Than A Chef. Gulf Gourmet is the leading magazine for professional chefs in the Middle East. It is also the official magazine of the Emirates Culinary Guild and recognised by worldchefs.org